THE BIRDS OF INDIA. 185 



carious birds is in Africa, but this and the following species 

 occur in India in considerable numbers ; but, nevertheless, 

 are often confounded with their African connections. 



The manyar weaver has the crown of the head of an in- 

 tensely yellow colour ; the lores, cheeks, ear coverts, chin, 

 throat, and breast are brownish black ; the back, wings, 

 and tail brown, the feathers of the back being marked with 

 a mesial dark line ; the primaries and the tail feathers are 

 edged with yellow, and the upper tail coverts are reddish ; 

 the bill is black, and the length of the bird 5yg^ inches, of 

 which the tail takes up If. The female has the head 

 brown, streaked with black ; the bill is pale horn-colour. 



The nest of the manyar weaver is built among reeds, 

 near their summit, and contains two or three eggs. 



Bengal Weaver. — The crown is golden yellow ; the 

 back dusky brown ; rnmp greyish brown, and the throat 

 white ; below it extends a broad brown pectoral band ; bill 

 pearly white. In the female the head is dull greyish 

 brown. In length this weaver measures oh inches ; the 

 tail. If. 



It is found in Lower Bengal, and builds in low bushes ; 

 the nest is not pensile, and is made of grass ; many birds 

 build in company, and it is thought they are polygamous. 



THE FINCHES. 



These birds curiously enough, are blended in an extra- 

 ordinary manner with a variety of others, among which 

 are a number of buntings, which is certainly confusing; 

 but the whole subject of bird nomenclature is full of difB- 

 culties, and calls loudly for rearrangement on a "natural" 

 basis, such a readjustment in "natural orders" as was effected 

 b}^ De Candolle for the plants ; but who is to undertake 

 the task ? 



